This week, I am going to post some thoughts about sowing and reaping. We all know that we will reap what we sow, and yet we often live our lives in such a self-centered way. Galatians 6:7-9 says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." In light of this verse, I would like to share three principles of sowing and reaping.
1. You do not reap when you sow.
Hebrews 11:24-26 says, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Moses had everything the world had to offer right at his fingertips, and yet he realized that none of it would last. Instead of living for self, he chose to live for God, knowing that he would reap a great reward later.
1. You do not reap when you sow.
Hebrews 11:24-26 says, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Moses had everything the world had to offer right at his fingertips, and yet he realized that none of it would last. Instead of living for self, he chose to live for God, knowing that he would reap a great reward later.
2. You do not reap the amount you sow.
In Joshua chapter seven, we learn the story of Achan. Before the Israelites attacked Jericho, God told them not to take any of the spoil. (Jericho was the first city in Caanan that they were conquering, and they were to give God the first-fruits.) Well, Achan took some of the plunder for himself, and when his sin was discovered, Achan's penalty was death. His only sin was stealing, and yet he paid with his life.
In life, we get to choose our actions. However, we never get to choose the consequences. Whether you sow good or bad, you will reap more than you sow.
3. Regardless of how long it takes, you will ALWAYS reap WHAT you sow.
Numbers 32:23 says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” There is a saying that goes like this- "Sin takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you want pay." Regardless of what we do in life, we can always be sure that it will catch up to us. "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
In closing, let me say this: if you will just decide to live for God and do right, you will wake up someday and say, "What happened?! I didn't do anything special, and yet here I am with the blessings of God on my life!" I'm not preaching a prosperity Gospel; I'm talking about the blessings of having peace and joy in your heart; the blessings that come from simply being in the will of God."
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
